After three tough years in the Heaven Can Wait series, the weather gods smiled on the 2012 Heaven Can Wait race. On Saturday morning just a few minutes before the 11am start, the north westerly hit the fleet; winds went from 10 knots to 25 in a flash. It was a roaring down wind start, with kites, foiling moths and sports boats dominating.

Principal Race Officer Blake Middleton from Minnesota said... ‘The most exciting start we have had in the seven year history of the race... ‘

As the day progressed winds gusted to 30 knots on parts of the course, but gradually eased over the follow half day and for the 24 hour race conditions eased overnight and into today and as the morning eased away winds dropped to 3-4 knots, with warm spring sunshine and bright blue skies.

In the 12 hour race Mark Langford’s Farr 40 Forty won division 1 on line honours and on handicap. Second across the line was Belinda and Tom Braidwood’s beautifully restored Nelson Marek 43 Quest ahead of Peter Hewson’s Sydney 41 Storage King Wallop. Phil King’s Beneteau 42.7 Yes. Second on handicap from Wallop.

In division two line honours Noel Gough’s NSX-38 Excapade, second was Michael McFayden’s S111 Brigus and in third place Glenn Picasso Young 88 Young ‘n Old.

On handicap Serein, Geoff Payne’s Radford 11.9 led from Mark Cherrington’s Van der Stadt 34 with third Excapade. In the 24 hour race, division 1 it was a war of attrition, Storage King Wallop, then Yes and Quest retired with a torn main but had sailed sufficient miles to secure third place.

On handicap it was Wallop, Yes and Quest.

In division 2, line honours, Bruce Thomas’ Masram 940 Crow Bar ahead of Brigus with Young and Old third. On handicap Serein again, from Windchaser, Young and Old.

Summary – postcard sailing today.

Major announcement – from Royal Motor Yacht Club Commodore Graeme Parr. ‘This was the very last Heaven Can Wait Race – on the October long weekend.

‘The race will now move to November, floating to stay close to Full Moons – the very much preferred conditions for 24 hour racing.’

Royal Motor Yacht Club Sailing Captain Mel Steiner commented ‘The highlight of this race for us is just being in it. As Blake Middleton agreed, this is about participation above all else, these are very challenging races. ‘

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